Back at the end of July this year, I bought three roses via the web (Heirloom). At the time of this purchase, my computer was acting funky so I placed the order over the phone. Knew that I definitely wanted to get 2 Double Delights but couldn't decide on the other rose so I took the person on the phone up on their suggestion of Just Joey.

The three roses arrived. Cute and little like newborns. Transplanted them into 3 gallon containers with fancy soil that I bought at my local nursery that was supposed to help them grow. It worked. All three have doubled in size.

Due to Kansas City's oppressively hot summer, I held off until early September to put the roses in the earth. Around the time that I put the Double Delights in the earth, I realized that Just Joey is suggested for zones 7-10.

At the time I placed the order for the plants, I didn't think to verify the zone stuff with them because I assumed that they would only suggest my zone and quite frankly, I was so excited to be getting more roses, it never crossed my mind.

Since then, I've held off putting it in the earth because I'm not sure what to do. Would you recommend that I keep it in its current 3 gallon container? Bury it in its current container in a huge terra cotta pot right next to my house door? Should I put it in the earth? Should I put it in my neighbor's garage (it has windows)? Or should I accept it as a loss and start planning it's funeral now?

In my first year gardening, despite the outdoor sauna of a summer only 1 of the 10 roses that I planted died (rosette). Hopefully Just Joey will survive. My fingers are crossed that my zone 6a isn't too far off to have a zone 7 rose in it. If anything else, it's a lesson learned :-)

Sorry for the long explanation. Thought that background would be helpful.

Any advice, suggestions? Thank you in advance for your wisdom and assistance.

When you plant it put the bud union, the knobby part at the base where all the canes come out, about 4 to 6 inches below the ground level. Dig you hole first until it's about twice as big as the pot it's in. Then carefully take it out of the pot being really careful not to disturb the root ball as much as possible. Put it in and then carefully back fill the hole and tamp the soil down around the rose. If you want some extra protection on it mound some soil up around the rose canes or mulch it with a thick layer of leaves or some other kind of mulch.

Do not put it anything in the terra cotta pot outside for winter. That pot won't winter anywhere near as well as the rose will, lol! I got rid of all my terra cotta pots years ago and only use ceramic ones in the house. They get wet, absorb the water and then when it freezes they shatter. If you want to keep the pot bring it inside or stick it in your neighbors garage.

You got some lovely roses. DD is one of my favorites too and I've had one of mine in the ground here for going on 35 years. It's been through every kind of winter imaginable and survived. So don't spend your winter worrying about them. They're both going to come back next spring and give you a season of beautiful blooms. Enjoy!